No need to walk anymore

[Nuts]

deja vu indeed. last time I was involved in such a topic I had to consider changing my alias
Trying to express concern is mistaken for an attack on someones loved one. Or in the other case someones google-given-right to blogg at will..

[perfectlydark]

Do you remember that when MH370 went missing recently, there were people scouring Google Earth images of the Indian Ocean looking for wreckage?

How long will it be before people start scouring these walk images for lost bushwalkers?

unless they go missing on the unlikely chance after passing the camera guy, id guess its not going to happen

[DarrenM]

Trying to express concern is mistaken for an attack on someones loved one. Or in the other case someones google-given-right to blogg at will..

There was no mistake, just an opinion on a poorly thought out statement.....to quote,

"just as reasonably decide that 'denying disabled or poor people' was an unfortunate consequence"

It wasn't personal at all, just a good example of one of the many positive uses.

[Nuts]

Lol, wasn't poorly thought out at all. I agree that increasing services for the less able is a great idea. I think that using them to justify increasing (never decreasing) access is a very bad idea. Most of us have somewhere beyond our capabilities, me included I see this concept 'you don't have to use it or look'.. not a good reason to inflict such things on the wilds or those who imagine a different future for the wilds. Who wouldn't (use it), use geo- cataloging, use track notes, glean captioned photo's, it's 'our' nature.

[DarrenM]

Fair and valid points.

[GPSGuided]

Won't be long before there'll be virtual SARs. Said to be a lot more cost efficient.

[photohiker]

Whilst some people might have been scouring google earth images for MH370, the smart people were crowd searching current satellite imagery. Those searching on google definitely hadn't checked the dates on the images they were searching

As for the topic, I doubt it takes away the need to walk. Most likely it will increase the interest in walking by exposing non bushwalkers to the scenery and experience.

[GPSGuided]

As for the topic, I doubt it takes away the need to walk. Most likely it will increase the interest in walking by exposing non bushwalkers to the scenery and experience.

I agree. It'll be comparable to how GoogleEarth has benefited walkers in 2014.

[Nuts]

So they have Photohiker and GPS Guided on side

I like GE, the publicly available resolution is good enough, very handy for bushwalkers, very easily regulated.

[icefest]

I just wish GE had a better DEM, so we could better do things like this:

(Wait for the animations to load)

[GPSGuided]

Seriously, human have always ventured out and recorded its environment, from pointing to the sun and moon, to the compass, to making maps, to satellite imagery, this Google TrailView is just a continuation of it.

[Nuts]

I just wish GE had a better DEM, so we could better do things like this:

(Wait for the animations to load)

I'll be- Is that the NBN to the top of the Ironbounds already????

[Nuts]

Seriously, human have always ventured out and recorded its environment, from pointing to the sun and moon

Imagine being satisfied with pointing at the sun and moon.

Iv'e thought before of all these described walks and photographed places.
How cool would it be to have even a little section left in each park marked 'mysterious zone'.
'We' can't really conserve that, it's too late.

[icefest]

I'll be- Is that the NBN to the top of the Ironbounds already????

Sorry, I was triangulating how far I could see from the summit. Turns out I can see The Thumbs and Toogee HIll http://puu.sh/9qheM/09ba6f4b0a.jpg

How cool would it be to have even a little section left in each park marked 'mysterious zone'.
'We' can't really conserve that, it's too late.

Isn't that what is being done with the wilderness areas and with the more reclusive "reference areas" that nobody is allowed to enter?

[DarrenM]

Seriously, human have always ventured out and recorded its environment, from pointing to the sun and moon, to the compass, to making maps, to satellite imagery, this Google TrailView is just a continuation of it.

Exactly. The amount of untouched mysterious places would take an eternity of real life groundhog day to cover. I say the same thing about skiing first descents. People get demotivated to go climb and ski particular areas because someone has already done it. Why? If it's the first time I've done the line then that's all that matters.

There are so many online guides, blogs, videos etc so I make a point of buying a topo, grab my compass and go figure it out. I can walk most of the GNW from my front door right through suburbia and barely see a soul. Densely populated, highly publicized, well documented and probably virtual in the near future......makes absolutely no difference to the experience.

[Nuts]

I can't recall much in the wilderness act that translated to anything that impressive on the ground. There have been amendments, is there some additional proactive response to regulate or manage future info resources? I believe this is important, not impossible. Perhaps not even through regulating the info, as equally uncomfortable it may sit, some sort of backcountry pass has always seemed a good option (to me). A higher level of skill and commitment and empathy- for more remote areas to be respectfully explored rather than 'locked up' (though that is a good proposition in at least a commitment to conservation). Not that I personally would like to need accreditation/ fees/ renewal, yet another permit, the movement of people (even through remote wilderness) can only be an increasing 'issue' at some stage. It may be thought that these things would be fine working in conjunction with parks. Park services, as they stand, can only really be expected to manage with-the-flow, such popular resources. Not ideal, just realistic. Additionally, maybe charged to manage future impact coming from such mechanisms we haven't yet imagined.

The wilderness ideal is for 'all time', why the rush..

I see attempts to justify propositions of some enhanced aspect of safety or experience in these sort of topics. I'm not convinced. Where's our resident physicist to explain the concept of a price for everything..

Providing a resource to less able I get, enhancing the enjoyment of those who have an interest in technology is fine (though not on the same level of 'nobility' surely..)

Personally my motivation was conservation and indoctrinated into the mindset of minimising impact in these unique places, before ever 'bushwalking'. Not any desire to dispute anyone else's preferred focus. I can't relate to any steadfast POV embracing technology but then I wouldn't bother reading other opinions if it doesn't fascinate me at some level, how others think or what concerns them.

I couldn't see my hand at arms length icefest

[GPSGuided]

In the scheme of things, the proposed TrailViews are more than likely to just stay on officially sanctioned tracks than any bushbashing. As such, it's pretty harmless, no more than what NP publishes on their maps. If one get offended on such, then a far more relevant area protest are all those GoPro video on Youtube that show truly exotic places. I'd think they, along with satellite imagery have exposed far more of the "wild" to the general public, along with all the "bragging" photos of "real" bushwalkers. It's a non-event as far as I am concerned.

[Nuts]

Lol. I agree, multiple attacks. However, it's all an 'event' as far as i'm concerned. That's ok though, hardly offended.

I can't see (for example) a sparse interactive map of the Overland Track being a big deal but we will continue to see the track used as a model for other places.
It's not really just accepting a new, obviously sanctioned, level of communication for one track in one state. Such things should be accepted as possible anywhere.